Unexplained Weight Loss Could Be Early Warning Sign Of Dementia, Study Suggests
Could Unexplained Weight Loss Be An Early Sign Of Dementia?
Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK
Unintentional weight loss among middle-aged people could be an early warning sign of dementia, new research has suggested.
A study from the Mayo Clinic found that those who lost weight without trying after turning 40 years old had an increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, which can lead to dementia.
Researchers believe unexplained weight loss in middle-aged people could help doctors identify those who have an increased risk of developing dementia.
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Scientists from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota analysed data from 1,900 people aged 70 years and over, who showed no signs of dementia.
After four years, they found that 524 of the subjects had developed mild cognitive impairment - a precursor of dementia.
Studying their old medical records, researchers found that participants who had lost weight since they were aged 40+ were more likely to develop cognitive issues.
Weight loss of 11 pounds (5kg) every decade was associated with a 24% increase in risk of mild cognitive impairment.
Dr Laura Phipps from Alzheimer’s Research UK said the findings are "interesting" but added that it's "difficult to tease apart cause and effect from the study and it is not clear what could be driving this link".
She said: "Weight loss may be the result of early damage in the brain from diseases like Alzheimer’s and could indicate an underlying problem, but there are many reasons why a person’s weight can change.
"The study doesn’t tell us that losing weight causes dementia, or that putting on weight will prevent the condition.
"Maintaining a healthy weight at any point of life can have health benefits, including helping to control dementia risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure."
At times everyone can become tired of housework, business activities, or social obligations. However a person with dementia may become very passive, sitting in front of the television for hours, sleeping more than usual, or appear to lose interest in hobbies. (credit:John Rensten via Getty Images)
Changes in Personality (02 of10)
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A person with dementia may seem different from his or her usual self in ways that are difficult to pinpoint. A person may become suspicious, irritable, depressed, apathetic or anxious and agitated especially in situations where memory problems are causing difficulties. (credit:fStop Images - Carl Smith via Getty Images)
Mood Changes(03 of10)
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Everyone can become sad or moody from time to time. A person with dementia may become unusually emotional and experience rapid mood swings for no apparent reason. Alternatively a person with dementia may show less emotion than was usual previously. (credit:Mike Chick via Getty Images)
Misplace Things (04 of10)
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Anyone can temporarily misplace his or her wallet or keys. A person with dementia may put things in unusual places such as an iron in the fridge or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. (credit:Oli Kellett via Getty Images)
Problems With Keeping Track of Things (05 of10)
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A person with dementia may find it difficult to follow a conversation or keep up with paying their bills. (credit:Chris Red via Getty Images)
Increasingly poor Judgement(06 of10)
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People with dementia may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers of clothes on a warm day or very few on a cold day. (credit:Jessica Peterson via Getty Images)
Distortion of Time and Place (07 of10)
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We sometimes forget the day of the week or where we are going but people with dementia can become lost in familiar places such as the road they live in, forget where they are or how they got there, and not know how to get back home. A person with dementia may also confuse night and day. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Problems With Language(08 of10)
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Occasionally everyone has trouble finding the right word but a person with dementia often forgets simple words or substitutes unusual words, making speech or writing hard to understand. (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks(09 of10)
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People with dementia often find it hard to complete everyday tasks that are so familiar we usually do not think about how to do them. A person with dementia may not know in what order to put clothes on or the steps for preparing a meal. (credit:Anthony Harvie via Getty Images)
Memory Loss(10 of10)
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Declining memory, especially short-term memory, is the most common early symptom of dementia. People with ordinary forgetfulness can still remember other facts associated with the thing they have forgotten. For example, they may briefly forget their next-door neighbour's name but they still know the person they are talking to is their next-door neighbour. A person with dementia will not only forget their neighbour's name but also the context. (credit:Compassionate Eye Foundation via Getty Images)